Smarter Work Zones (Bios)

W.D. Baldwin ([email protected])Hello! I’m W.D. Baldwin. I am HDR’s NW Region Traffic Leader helping oversee our desgin and analysis of traffic solutions for a variety of projects here and across the country. Prior to joining HDR I worked for the Iowa Department of Transportation where I was involved with design, maintenance, and ITS. My passion has been Work Zone ITS and how it helps improve the safe and efficent movement of traffic and freight. I spent 10 years on the Oregon DOT OTIA III Statewide Bridge Program where we led the repair and replacement over 200 bridges across the state with one of our mottos being “Keep Traffic Moving During Construction.” I am currently a member of the ATSSA ITS Council with the focus of improving the use of ITS technologies to support work zone operations. I have done several presentations on what we learned during the OTIA III Bridge Program and others on the need for proper planning of work zone ITS prior to deployment. I am looking forward to working with others who are trying to solve some work zone challenges using technology and and hope to share what I have learned as well.

Neil Boudreau, Mass DOT ([email protected])My name is Neil Boudreau and I am the Director of Traffic & Safety/State Traffic Engineer for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). My focus for this course will be to try and get a better understanding on how to better develop an implementation plan that is attractive to other State DOTs. Having been with my agency for almost 19 years I know how things work with us, but I do not know what is the best way to approach other DOTs to market this EDC innovative approach.

Chris Brookes, Michigan DOT ([email protected])My name is Chris Brookes and I work for the Michigan DOT. I work across the entire state on work zone related topics and make sure that our work zones are set up safely, are using the most updated equipment, and are in compliance. I’m taking this course to improve my overall skills as a working professional and hope that it will make me a more effective employee.

My name is Eric Ferron and I am part of the Resource Center’s Operations Technical Service Team. I focus on the areas of MUTCD and Work Zones. I am on the EDC3 team for Smarter Work Zones and I am taking this course to learn how to better support the EDC3 initiatives.

Karen Gilbertson, Division Office ([email protected])I’m Karen Gilbertson and I have worked for FHWA for 5 years as the ITS/Traffic Operations Engineer for the Kansas Division. I previously worked for KDOT in ITS and in Road Design. Before that I worked for consultants as a civil engineer. I have always been intrigued with the possibility of safety and efficiency benefits to using technology in work zones. I also have freight responsibilities in our office and am aware of the impact of goods movement through our communities and frequently through our work zones. I am looking forward to this course as an aide to the collaborative process, which will be helpful as our team develops an Implementation Plan for Smarter Work Zones.

Martha Kapitanov, Headquarters ([email protected])My name is Martha C. Kapitanov and I work for FHWA’s Office of Transportation Operations. I am a Transportation Specialist on the Work Zone Management Team. And, I am taking this course to learn how to develop an Implementation Plan that can assist transportation agencies with the implementation of the EDC3-Smarter Work Zones initiative.

Rachel Klein ([email protected])Hello, I’m Rachel Klein and I’m a transportation engineer providing contractual support to FHWA’s Work Zone Management Program. Specifically, my work includes supporting the development of the EDC Smarter Work Zones Implementation Guide. I’m excited to learn how to develop a comprehensive and useful implementation plan to support state and local agencies in incorporating these innovative activities into their operations and management activities.

My name is Stefanie Maxwell. I work for the Florida Department of Transportation as a Specialty Engineer involved in the following areas: Maintenance of Traffic/Temporary Traffic Control, Lighting, Electrical, Signalization, Signing, Pavement Markings, Rumble Strips/Stripes, Guardrail, Crash Cushions, Curb ramps/Detectable Warnings, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), and Utilities. This October will be my 21st year at FDOT, and I love my job. I am Georgia Tech graduate with a Bachelors in Civil Engineering and Physics. I believe it is important to share information with others and would like to learn what others are doing better so that we can improve what we are doing.

My name is Scott McCanna. I am the State Traffic Control Plans Engineer for the Oregon Dept. of Transportation in Salem, Oregon. I have been with ODOT for just over 23 years and have been in this position since May, 2000. As the TCP Engineer, I am responsible for developing, maintaining, educating and providing technical support for the standards, practices and devices used in the design of temporary traffic control plans for ODOT highway construction contracts and ODOT Maintenance operations. I also work with local County and City Public Works Agencies to aid them in their efforts toward safe and effective work zone traffic control.

From this exercise, I would like to collect additional information and experiences, and establish new business contacts that might help me move closer toward meeting my primary goals while in my position:

1) To enhance work zone safety, efficiency and consistency at the Statewide level.

2) To find new materials, technologies or techniques that serve to accomplish Goal 1).

3) To provide these technologies and techniques in a manner palatable and usable by ODOT construction personnel, Design staff, Executive management, State Legislators and the traveling public in Oregon.

Jawad Paracha, Headquarters ([email protected])I’m Jawad Paracha and manage work zone program in Office of Operations at FHWA HQ. I worked for Maryland DOT in Office of Traffic & Safety for 12 years before joining FHWA in 2010. I am taking this course to learn how to develop and execute successful implementation plans to make inovations an agency standard practice.

Todd Peterson, Headquarters ([email protected])I work for FHWA’s Office of Operations as a Transportation Specialist on the Work Zone Management team. As a relative newcomer to Federal service, I’m striving to leverage my 20 years as a private sector consultant towards improving the national state of the practice in transportation operations. I look forward to the EDC Smarter Work Zones initiative as an opportunity to dive right in the deep water and make a big push for advancing innovations in work zone management.

Paul Pisano, Headquarters ([email protected])I’m Paul Pisano and I’m the Team Leader for FHWA’s Road Weather and Work Zone Management Team. I oversee the two distinct yet connected programs of Road Weather Management and Work Zone Management. I’ve worked for FHWA for about 30 years, first in our Office of Research and Development and now in the Office of Operations. My background is in civil engineering, but spend as much time applying system engineering, meteorology, ITS and other principles to the challenge of improving the safety and mobility of the nation’s surface transportation system. I’ve wrestled with the challenge of crossing that “valley of death” from successful research to real-world implementation for years, and yet it still seems to be as much art as science. I’m looking forward to taking this course to learn how to effectively encourage others to take action.

Jerry Ullman ([email protected])I manage the work zone research program at the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, and have been involved in work zone-related research and training for 30 years. I’m taking this course to help make me more effective in providing input to FHWA’s efforts to establish an EDC smarter work zones roadmap. However, I’m sure I’ll find many other ways to apply what we learn to other aspects of my job.

I am Ken Wood from the Operations TST in FHWA’s Resouce Center. I work with the Work Zone Program Office and the MUTCD team. I am also on the EDC3 team for Smarter Work Zones. I am taking this course to learn more about setting reasonable and achievable goals – for the EDC3 intitiative and other aspects of my job.